Brussels, 16 October 2018 - The chemical industry and trade unions today agreed on the future framework to further protect EU workers from the risks associated with exposure to substances toxic to reproduction at the workplace. In a joint declaration signed today, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), industriAll European Trade Union, the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) call on the European Commission to strengthen the current system of protection of workers’ reproductive health. "Adopting the proposed approach at EU level will benefit both companies and workers across all EU countries," said Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic. "Maintaining high standards of occupational health and safety is of paramount importance for the chemical industry,” added Emma Argutyan, Director General of ECEG. "This agreement is important because it shows that employers and unions are working together to reduce chemical exposure at work and improve working conditions in all sectors," declared Luc Triangle, General-Secretary of industriAll Europe. "This agreement is in line with the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and proves that social dialogue is alive and kicking in Europe and delivering protection for workers’ reproductive health," added Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC. This joint declaration provides the group’s input into the ongoing debate on revising legal requirements for exposure to reprotoxic substances under the EU Chemical Agents Directive (CAD) and the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). If not managed properly, reprotoxic substances may be responsible for fertility and/or reproductive problems in exposed workers. Contact information For more information please contact: Maria Linkova-Nijs, Media Relations Manager, Cefic, +32 2 676 73 98 or [email protected] Emma Argutyan, Director General, ECEG, +32 2 290 89 80 or [email protected] Erica Lee, press officer, industriAll Europe, +32 2 226 00 61 or [email protected] Julian Scola, Head of Press & Communications, ETUC, +32 486 117 394 or [email protected] About Cefic Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, founded in 1972, is the voice of large, medium and small chemical companies in Europe, which provide 1.2 million jobs and account for 17% of world chemicals production. About ECEG The European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) represents the employers’ interests of the chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics industries in Europe with approximately 3.3 million direct employees in more than 94.000 enterprises. As a Brussels-based social affairs organisation it is a recognised social partner and a consultation body of the European Institutions and other stakeholders. About indutriAll Europe IndustriAll European Trade Union represents the voice of 7 million working men and women across supply chains in manufacturing, mining and energy sectors across Europe. About ETUC The EuropeanTrade Union Confederation is the voice of workers and represents 45 million members from 90 trade union organisations in 38 European countries, plus 10 European Trade Union Federations.